So... we got a treadmill. It's a carpet mill, and it took FOREVER to put together because the instructions are anything but helpful, but that's a funny story for another day.

Anyway... Sepp will get on it and... sit. For as long as it takes. He won't walk on it and no amount of treats makes him get up... he's tried and he thinks it's not for him. We're a work in progress.

Faust, on the other hand, is a maniac on that thing. He went right from jumping on it for the first time to full-speed running, and he seems to enjoy it immensely... especially when there are visions of liver treats "dancing in his head". The problem is that he chokes and gags himself because he's in such a hurry to get... nowhere, really. There is a chain on the top of that contraption so you can leash your dog to it, and a collar is not the best idea for a dog like Faust. He pulls/runs like crazy, which results in lots of hacking and coughing.

A. What type of harness would be suited for a treadmill?B. How do we master "walking" at a leisurely pace?

This is pretty much what he does... I'm just sitting on the floor, recording, not saying anything.If I don't leash him he'll run from the back to the front, jump off, run back around, across the treadmill, jump off again... and repeat that about a gazillion times.

I KNOW there's a happy medium, where he won't gag himself while he stays on it and w-a-l-k-s.

I can only please one person per day. Today is not your day, tomorrow doesn't look good either.
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"You didn't know of the magical powers of the break stick? It's up there with genies and Harry Potter as far as magic levels go." SisMorphine 01/07/07

I think most videos I've seen of dogs using treadmills they're galloping along like that. You should be able to rig something up for him with just a regular nylon harness (maybe loop a leash or collar through the back of the harness and hook the chain to that). Or you could order a walking harness from Stillwater or one of the weight pull harness makers.

"Remember - every time your dog gets somewhere on a tight leash *a fairy dies and it's all your fault.* Think of the fairies." http://www.positivepetzine.com"

In my experience carpet mills are designed to tire the dog out VERY quickly. The dog has to us much more energy and power to move the mill (very different from a slat mill), so I would keep your sessions really short. As suggested if you really want him to settle in you can reward for the pace you are looking for.

A lot of people end up buying those mills to find out their dogs won't use them so it is fantastic that Faust is enjoying it so much

I tried clicking/treating for a slower pace... it's the only time he'll "talk back" to me to let me know he doesn't agree. It's either very fast... or faster.

Just about everyone I have talked to recommended an electric treadmill, but I really do like the fact that the dog is more in control on a carpet mill... when they've had enough they can slow down or stop.

I might not even need a harness now - I was making coffee this morning and I heard the little maniac running on his own. When I went to check on him a few minutes later he was stretched out on the runner, panting and grinning from ear to ear. He's waaaayyy ahead of me.

LMM wrote:I might have to seriously consider getting one of these. How hard was it to put together??

My guys could definitely use the extra exercise! Now to save my pennies!!!

It's *supposed* to be easy, but most of the pre-drilled, color-coded holes on ours didn't quite match. If you have two people, and are handy w/a drill... shouldn't be too hard. It's VERY heavy, but also VERY sturdy once you get it up and running. Not too noisy, which is a plus.Your dogs will either love it... or not. Sepp doesn't. If you know anyone who has one you might want to ask them to let your dogs try it first. It is an investment, and - like Matt mentioned - some dogs won't have any interest in getting on it.

I have a passed-out puppy snoring next to me as I type this... and it's only 2 o' clock in the afternoon. Unheard of.